Dear Colleagues,
The New Year marks many fresh beginnings! Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) received one piece of good news after another this past December.
The Government launched the Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education to support self-financing post-secondary institutions in developing and enhancing courses that meet market needs. The Scheme received 19 applications in the 2021/22 academic year and approved a total grant of HK$117 million to support four projects.
HKMU received funding for two of the four projects and the highest grant amount. With a grant of HK$33.3 million, the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in New Music and Interactive Entertainment will be the first programme in Hong Kong to emphasise hybrid interactive entertainment, comprising interactive and computational technology, visual arts and music.
The largest grant of HK$40.6 million went towards the development of the Bachelor of Science with Honours in Construction Management and Surveying. In view of Hong Kong's upcoming major infrastructure projects, such as the Northern Metropolis and the Lantau Tomorrow Plan, the new programme will help prepare professional talent for the construction industry.
Another piece of good news relates to the government announcement last week about the expansion of the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) to designated top-up degree (TUD) programmes, i.e. senior-year entry programmes. A total of 460 places for 14 full-time undergraduate TUD programmes offered by HKMU will receive the subsidy.
Including First-Year-First-Degree (FYFD) programmes, the SSSDP will grant a total of 1,715 places to HKMU in the 2023/24 cohort, which is the highest number among all self-financed institutions.
This encouraging news is the result of the continuous efforts of University members in the field of academic development. It also reflects the government's support for the distinctive, high-demand programmes offered by HKMU, and affirmation of the quality of the University's programmes.
Looking back on 2022, HKMU overcame many challenges. Thanks to the unremitting efforts of all HKMU members and their support for the University's spirit of pursuing excellence, HKMU achieved outstanding performance in many areas. It is encouraging to see the University continue to add impetus to the development of society.
I hope that all members of HKMU will continue to work hand in hand in the New Year to welcome more iconic moments and create a more prosperous year in 2023!
I wish you all peace and good health. The New Year is filled with possibilities, so let's go beyond the boundaries and continue to pursue excellence in our respective fields!
Paul LAM Kwan-sing
President
